U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue said Tuesday that his organization supports Republican legislation in the House to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care reform law but signaled that the powerful business lobby won’t employ the same scorched-earth tactics it used last year to try to kill reform.

“Last year, while strongly advocating for health care reform, the Chamber was a leader in the fight against this particular bill, and thus we support legislation in the House to repeal it,” Donohue said during a speech on the state of American business. “We see the upcoming House vote, however, as an opportunity for everyone to take a fresh look at health care reform and to replace unworkable approaches with more efficient and effective measures that will lower costs, expand access and improve quality.”

Donohue pointed to the more than 200 waivers to the law that the administration has granted, calling them a “revealing acknowledgment that the law is not totally workable” — a departure from the prepared text distributed to reporters that called the law “unworkable.”

“It’s time, in my opinion, to go back to the drawing board,” he said.

The Chamber’s chief lobbyist, Bruce Josten, told reporters after the speech that the House will pass repeal, but he expects the Senate and Obama to block the effort. Indeed, the president has threatened to veto the measure.

But, Josten said, the House effort will reopen debate on provisions the Chamber has concerns about, including the employer mandate, requirements that insurers spend a certain amount on health care, changes to health savings accounts and a requirement that businesses file 1099 tax forms on purchases of more than $600.

In addition to legislative action, Josten said the Chamber has worked aggressively to influence the law’s regulatory implementation. Asked how much the Chamber was planning to spend on repeal, Josten and Donohue did not answer.

In an e-mail to POLITICO, spokeswoman Blair Latoff underscored the Chamber’s more low-key approach to repeal, saying the group is being “pragmatic.”

The softer, more targeted approach is a far cry from the millions of dollars the Chamber spent last year on lobbying and advertising to kill the bill.

In his speech, Donohue expressed cautious optimism about what he called the improving state of American business, citing the recent decision to continue the Bush-era tax cuts as a driver of economic and job growth. The Chamber, he said, estimates the economy will grow by 3.2 percent and create up to 2.6 million jobs by the end of the year. But Donohue cautioned that new foreclosures, rising oil prices and national security threats could change the outlook.

Donohue said Congress must rein in spending and pledged to “support strong proposals even if we don’t like all the details.”

Business has had a rocky relationship with the White House over the past two years, and Donohue credited the administration’s recent pro-business tone for allaying some of the business community’s concerns. But business leaders continue to complain that they need more than just lip service from the White House.

Asked what three things the White House could do to demonstrate to the business community that it understands its concerns, Josten said it needs to bring certainty to the regulatory process, begin fundamental tax reform and pass trade free-trade agreements.

“We’ve been in good pep talks for two years,” Josten said of the trade agreements. “It’s time to get off the sidelines and get in the game.”

Donohue, who praised Obama’s picks of White House chief of staff Bill Daley and economic adviser Gene Sperling, said, “I’m absolutely convinced that they are ready to move on trade and regulatory issues to do what it’s going to take to get people back to work.”

In a move to help improve his relationship with the business community, Obama is scheduled to address the Chamber next month.

The softer, more targeted approach is a far cry from the millions of dollars the Chamber spent last year on lobbying and advertising to kill the bill.

In his speech, Donohue expressed cautious optimism about what he called the improving state of American business, citing the recent decision to continue the Bush tax cuts as a driver of economic and job growth. The Chamber, he said, estimates the economy will grow by 3.2 percent and create up to 2.6 million jobs by the end of the year. But Donohue cautioned that new foreclosures, rising oil prices and national security threats could change the outlook.

Donohue said Congress must reign in spending and pledged to “support strong proposals even if we don’t like all the details.”

Business has had a rocky relationship with the White House over the past two years and Donohue credited the administration’s recent pro-business tone for allaying some of the business community’s concerns. But, business leaders continue to complain that they need more than just lip service from the White House.

Asked what three things the White House could do to demonstrate to the business community that they understand its concerns, Josten said they need to bring certainty to the regulatory process, begin fundamental tax reform and pass trade free trade agreements.

“We’ve been in good pep talks for two years,” Josten said of the trade agreements. “It’s time to get off the sidelines and get in the game.”

Donohue, who praised Obama’s picks of White House chief of staff Bill Daley and economic adviser Gene Sperling, said, “I’m absolutely convinced that they are ready to move on trade and regulatory issues to do what it’s going to take to get people back to work.”

In a move to help improve his relationship with the business community, Obama is scheduled to address the Chamber next month.